Rob Walsh - 6-Feb-2008
- Farmers are being asked to get involved
and help to save rare species in Northumbrian
rivers. As part of the
process they’re invited to an event on Wednesday
13 February at Wallington Hall, Cambo, Morpeth.
Jackie Hamer of the
Environment Agency explains what it’s all
about: “The Wansbeck and Font catchment,
lying mainly to the west of Morpeth, is
one of the last remaining strongholds for
our native white-clawed crayfish.
“This native crayfish
has been wiped out in lots of rivers and
streams across the country by stiff competition
from the larger American signal crayfish
which carries a disease to which the native
species has little resistance.
“There are several other
rare species in Northumbrian rivers and
to save them we need sympathetic land management,
which is where the farmers and land managers
can help. They’re the key to preserving
these species and we’re very keen to meet
them and discuss the best way to achieve
this.
“The event on 13 February
is free and runs from 7 to 9pm. There’ll
be short presentations by ourselves, the
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and
the National Trust, followed by a buffet
in the restaurant.
“If any farmers or their
farming neighbours haven’t received a direct
invitation they’re still welcome to come
along – we want the word to get round to
everyone in land management who wants to
get involved. If anyone has any queries
they can give me a ring on 0191 203 4095.”
+ More
Environment Agency Board
to discuss increased funding for flood risk
management
Head Office Press Office
- 5-Feb-2008 - Environment Agency Board
to discuss increased funding for flood risk
management
Allocating the increased
funding for flood risk management will be
among the topics for discussion when the
Environment Agency Board meets in Bristol
tomorrow, Wednesday, February 6.
Government has announced
that funding for flood risk management will
increase to £800 million by 2010/11.
Of this figure around £679 million
will be available as Flood Defence Grant
in Aid (FDGiA) for the Environment Agency,
as well as for Local Authority and Internal
Drainage Board capital projects. Under new
Outcome Measures the Environment Agency
has identified key targets which these funds
will deliver over the three year period.
"Floods have a
devastating effect on lives and property.
With the impacts of climate change taking
effect, extreme rainfall events such as
that which we saw last summer are becoming
more likely and a long term investment strategy
for flood risk management is essential"
said Environment Agency Chairman Sir John
Harman.
"The damage caused
by last summer’s floods taught us more about
the causes of flooding and highlighted where
improvements need to be made. This additional
funding will help develop flood defence
and warning systems, helping keep those
at risk out of harms way and protecting
a further 145,000 houses from flooding."
The Environment Agency
has agreed key outcomes with Government
that the additional funding will deliver
:-
Minimising development
in high flood risk areas by providing expert
advice to developers.
Taking a strategic,
long-term look at flood risk by further
developing Flood Management Plans for rivers
and shorelines.
Investment in flood
defence projects which have an at least
a five-fold return on the value of the property
defended
Developing strong construction
and maintenance programmes to build and
maintain flood defences and protecting a
further 145,000 houses from flooding, of
which 45,000 are at significant risk of
flooding
Targeting the most deprived
20% of areas to reduce flood risk to those
homes which are at significant or greater
risk of flooding
Improving the condition
of 24,000 hectares of Sites of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI) by 2010
Creating 800 hectares
of habitats for UK priority species of plants
and animals, of which 300 hectares should
be intertidal, by 2011
The Environment Agency
Board meets on Wednesday, February 6, 2008,
from 10am to 1pm in the Bristol City Council
House, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TR.
The agenda can be discussed with Environment
Agency Chairman Sir John Harman and board
members during lunch from 1pm - 1.45pm.
The agenda and board papers can be found
at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/board
+ More
Environment Agency takes
action against pet food factory
Mike Dunning - 4-Feb-2008
- Crown Pet Foods has been served with an
Enforcement Notice by the Environment Agency
following complaints about offensive odours
from its recently opened factory at Castle
Cary.
The Notice has been
issued because the Agency believes there
may have been breaches of permit conditions
at the site. This is to ensure abatement
equipment, designed to reduce odours, is
working properly.
The Agency will review
Crown Pet Foods compliance with the Notice
from February 15, 2008. In the meantime,
Agency officers will increase their monitoring
in the area.
The factory operates
under a Pollution Prevention and Control
(PPC) permit. It opened in late 2007 and
is not yet at full production as it is still
being commissioned. Since Christmas the
Agency has received more than 50 odour complaints
from local residents living in nearby Ansford
and Castle Cary.
Crown Pet Foods produces
dry pet food from grains, cereals and other
additives. No meat processing takes place
at the factory.
‘We have clearly stated
to Crown Pet Foods how important it is for
the factory’s odour abatement equipment
to be operating effectively. While some
minor odour is unavoidable, we are concerned
at the number of complaints we’ve received.
We recognise the company is making efforts,
but when we believe breaches of the permit
are occurring it is our duty to take action,’
said Brian Payne for the Environment Agency.
